Press Release

March 9, 2018

Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay paid a working visit to Bern, Switzerland on 8th March 2018 at the invitation of the President of the Swiss Confederation, H.E. Mr. Alain Berset. The Program included a courtesy call on the President followed by delegation-level talks which were led by Lyonchhen and the Swiss President.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ideas to further expand and deepen the relationship. The two sides also exchanged views on international issues and agreed to enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Switzerland has been an important development partner for Bhutan until 2017. The visit was an opportunity for Lyonchhen to personally convey to the Swiss people the Bhutanese people’s gratitude for the assistance that was extended to their country’s socio-economic development.

Relations between Bhutan and Switzerland began from the close personal friendship between His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo and the Von Schulthess family in the 1950s. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries was established on 16 September 1985.